PDF (adobe.com)

Create a transparent video clip

Transparent Video is a synthetic clip just like Black Video, Bars and Tone, and Color Matte. It comes in handy when you want to apply an effect that generates its own image and preserves transparency, such as the Timecode effect or the Lightning effect. Think of Transparent Video as "Clear Matte."

You cannot apply just any effect to Transparent Video—only those that manipulate the alpha channel. For example, these are some of the effects you can use with a transparent video clip:

  • Timecode

  • Checkerboard

  • Circle

  • Ellipse

  • Grid

  • Lens Flare

  • Lightning

  • Paint Bucket

  • Write-On

  1. In the Project panel, click the New Item button  at the bottom of the Project panel and choose Transparent Video.
  2. In the New Synthetic dialog box, set Width, Height, Timebase, and Pixel Aspect Ratio to match these settings for the sequence in which you will use the transparent video. Click OK.
  3. From the Project panel, drag the transparent video clip to the highest track in a sequence, stretch it as far as you want, and apply an effect to it.